Portable traction device

Abstract

A portable traction device incorporating a simple and quickly-attachable frame adapted to be positioned on the frame of a patient transport cot for the application of traction force to a patient during transport. The traction device includes a base frame or U-shaped bracket member which fits around the frame of a cot and includes flanges thereon to mount the bracket member on either end of a transport cot. The bracket member has suitable guide sleeves therein and a U-shaped pulley bar is adjustably positioned in the guide sleeves of the bracket member. Adjustably positioned pulleys are mounted on the pulley bar such that through the use of appropriate slings, traction force may be directed to the limbs, pelvis or cervical neck regions of the patient being transported to provide a traction force to the patient during transport.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. A portable traction device adapted to be mounted on a portable patient transfer cart comprising, a U-shaped bracket member having a base portion and leg portions each having dimensions adapted to fit over the end of the frame and along the longitudinal members of the portable patient transfer cot, said leg portions having flanges extending transversely therefrom at the ends of the leg portions and intermediate the ends of the leg portions and the base portion of the bracket member, said flanges being adapted to engage the frame of the cot and retain the bracket member thereon against movement, a pair of apertures positioned in the base portion of the bracket member near the leg portions thereof, and a U-shaped pulley bar having its legs releasably mounted in the apertures in the base portion of the bracket member and extending normal thereto, said pulley bar having pulley means which are movable transversely with respect to the base portion of the bracket member. 
     
     
       2. The portable traction device of claim 1 in which the apertures in the base portion of the bracket member have guides therein through which the legs of the pulley bar are positioned. 
     
     
       3. The portable traction device of claim 2 in which the legs of the U-shaped pulley bar have adjustment apertures distributed along the same and removable pin means selectively positioned through said apertures to adjust the vertical position of the pulley bar relative to the bracket. 
     
     
       4. The portable traction device of claim 3 in which the pulley means on the pulley bar are a pair of pulley members mounted on sleeves slidably mounted on the pulley bar. 
     
     
       5. The portable traction device of claim 1 in which the flanges at the ends of the leg portions are adapted to engage the underside of the cot frame and the intermediate flanges are adapted to engage the upper side of the cot frame. 
     
     
       6. The portable traction device of claim 5 and including additional flange means positioned on said base portion of the bracket member to engage the upper side of the end of a cot frame.